arXiv subjects

Adrien Leleu

Publications and source records attributed to Adrien Leleu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

An Ultra-Short Period Super-Earth and a Sub-Neptune Orbiting the K dwarf TOI-4311

We report the discovery and characterisation of the multi-planetary system around TOI-4311, a K dwarf kinematically between the Galactic thick disk and Hercules stream. TOI-4311 hosts an ultra-short-period super-Earth (P$\sim$0.99 d, $1.376\substack{+0.077\\-0.080}$ R$_\oplus$) and a longer period sub-Neptune (P$\sim$15 d, $2.47\substack{+0.12\\-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$) that was first detected in the TESS photometry. Using follow-up observations with CHEOPS and HARPS, we refine the planetary radius of both planets, derive the mass of planet b ($4.5\substack{+1.5\\-1.4}$ M$_\oplus$) and confirm the planetary nature of planet c. Intriguingly, a third periodic signal is clearly detected in our HARPS RVs that we cannot link to stellar activity. This signal could be attributed to a third planet (P$\sim$38 d, Msin(i)=$26.4\substack{+6.3\\-6.8}$ M$_\oplus$) in the system, however with the current photometric dataset we do not find a transit. Our dynamical analysis highlights that this potential outer planet would remain stable. Using the precise radius and mass for TOI-4311 b we model its interior structure and find that it is very dense given the host star's galactic kinematics and chemistry. Hence this system could challenge current formation theories and provide insights into planet formation across the galaxy.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Origin and characterization of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes

Super-Earths and sub-Neptunes represent the most common class of exoplanets discovered to date in our galaxy, yet they have no direct analogues in the Solar System. Since 2014, researchers within the NCCR PlanetS have made significant contributions to understanding the origin and nature of these small planets. This chapter provides an overview of the progress made in their detection, characterization, and theoretical interpretation during the 2014-2025 period. The combined data from space-based photometric missions such as Kepler and TESS, together with ground-based radial velocity campaigns using state-of-the-art spectrographs (e.g., HARPS, ESPRESSO, NIRPS), have enabled detailed demographic analyses of these planets. These observational efforts are complemented by theoretical work exploring their internal structures, bulk compositions, formation and evolution, shedding light on the physical processes responsible for the observed diversity. As high-precision observations from facilities like JWST begin to probe the atmospheric composition of individual planets, a more complete picture of super-Earth and sub-Neptune origins is emerging, one that continues to challenge and refine current planet formation theories.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

An Adolescent and Near-Resonant Planetary System Near the End of Photoevaporation

Young exoplanets provide vital insights into the early dynamical and atmospheric evolution of planetary systems. Many multi-planet systems younger than 100 Myr exhibit mean-motion resonances, likely established through convergent disk migration. Over time, however, these resonant chains are often disrupted, mirroring the Nice model proposed for the Solar System. We present a detailed characterization of the ~200-Myr-old TOI-2076 system, which contains four sub-Neptune planets between 1.4 and 3.5 Earth radii. We demonstrate that its planets are near but not locked in mean-motion resonances, making the system dynamically fragile. The four planets have comparable core masses but display a monotonic increase in hydrogen and helium (H/He) envelope mass fractions (stripped-1%-5%-5%) with decreasing stellar insolation. This trend is consistent with atmospheric mass-loss due to photoevaporation, which predicts that the envelopes of irradiated planets either erode completely or stabilize at a residual level of ~1% by mass within the first few hundred million years, with more distant, less-irradiated planets retaining most of primordial envelopes. Additionally, previous detections of metastable helium outflows rule out a pure water-world scenario for TOI-2076 planets. Our finding provides direct observational evidence that the dynamical and atmospheric reshaping of compact planetary systems begin early, offering an empirical anchor for models of their long-term evolution.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2025

An Ultra-Short Period Super-Earth and Sub-Neptune Spanning the Radius Valley Orbiting the Kinematic Thick Disk Star TOI-2345

A crucial chemical link between stars and their orbiting exoplanets is thought to exist. If universal, this connection could affect the formation and evolution of all planets. Therefore, this potential vital link needs testing by characterising exoplanets around chemically-diverse stars. We present the discovery of two planets orbiting the metal-poor, kinematic thick-disk K-dwarf TOI-2345. TOI-2345 b is a super-Earth with a period of 1.05 days and TOI-2345 c is a sub-Neptune with a period of 21 days. In addition to the target being observed in 4 TESS sectors, we obtained 5 CHEOPS visits and 26 radial velocities from HARPS. By conducting a joint analysis of all the data, we find TOI-2345 b to have a radius of $1.504\substack{+0.047\\-0.044}$ R$_\oplus$ and a mass of $3.49\pm0.85$ M$_\oplus$; and TOI-2345 c to have a radius of $2.451\substack{+0.045\\-0.046}$ R$_\oplus$ and a mass of $7.27\substack{+2.27\\-2.45}$ M$_\oplus$. To explore chemical links between these planets and their host star, we model their interior structures newly accounting for devolatised stellar abundances. TOI-2345 adds to the limited sample of well characterised planetary systems around thick disk stars. This system challenges theories of formation and populations of planets around thick disk stars with its Ultra-Short Period super-Earth and the wide period distribution of these two planets spanning the radius valley.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Resonant sub-Neptunes are puffier

A systematic, population-level discrepancy exists between the densities of exoplanets whose masses have been measured with transit timing variations (TTVs) versus those measured with radial velocities (RVs). Since the TTV planets are predominantly nearly resonant, it is still unclear whether the discrepancy is attributed to detection biases or to astrophysical differences between the nearly resonant and non resonant planet populations. We defined a controlled, unbiased sample of 36 sub-Neptunes characterised by Kepler, TESS, HARPS, and ESPRESSO. We found that their density depends mostly on the resonant state of the system, with a low probability (of $0.002_{-0.001}^{+0.010}$) that the mass of (nearly) resonant planets is drawn from the same underlying population as the bulk of sub-Neptunes. Increasing the sample to 133 sub-Neptunes reveals finer details: the densities of resonant planets are similar and lower than non-resonant planets, and both the mean and spread in density increase for planets that are away from resonance. This trend is also present in RV-characterised planets alone. In addition, TTVs and RVs have consistent density distributions for a given distance to resonance. We also show that systems closer to resonances tend to be more co-planar than their spread-out counterparts. These observational trends are also found in synthetic populations, where planets that survived in their original resonant configuration retain a lower density; whereas less compact systems have undergone post-disc giant collisions that increased the planet's density, while expanding their orbits. Our findings reinforce the claim that resonant systems are archetypes of planetary systems at their birth.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Trojan Exoplanets

Co-orbital exoplanets are a by-product of the models of formation of planetary systems. However, none have been detected in nature thus far. Although challenging, the observation of co-orbital exoplanets would provide valuable information on the formation of planetary systems as well as on the interactions between planets and their host star. After a brief review of the stability and formation issues of co-orbital systems, some observational methods dedicated to their detection are presented.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

TOI-836: A super-Earth and mini-Neptune transiting a nearby K-dwarf

We present the discovery of two exoplanets transiting TOI-836 (TIC 440887364) using data from TESS Sector 11 and Sector 38. TOI-836 is a bright ($T = 8.5$ mag), high proper motion ($\sim\,200$ mas yr$^{-1}$), low metallicity ([Fe/H]$\approx\,-0.28$) K-dwarf with a mass of $0.68\pm0.05$ M$_{\odot}$ and a radius of $0.67\pm0.01$ R$_{\odot}$. We obtain photometric follow-up observations with a variety of facilities, and we use these data-sets to determine that the inner planet, TOI-836 b, is a $1.70\pm0.07$ R$_{\oplus}$ super-Earth in a 3.82 day orbit, placing it directly within the so-called 'radius valley'. The outer planet, TOI-836 c, is a $2.59\pm0.09$ R$_{\oplus}$ mini-Neptune in an 8.60 day orbit. Radial velocity measurements reveal that TOI-836 b has a mass of $4.5\pm0.9$ M$_{\oplus}$ , while TOI-836 c has a mass of $9.6\pm2.6$ M$_{\oplus}$. Photometric observations show Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) on the order of 20 minutes for TOI-836 c, although there are no detectable TTVs for TOI-836 b. The TTVs of planet TOI-836 c may be caused by an undetected exterior planet.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

Uncovering the true periods of the young sub-Neptunes orbiting TOI-2076

Context: TOI-2076 is a transiting three-planet system of sub-Neptunes orbiting a bright (G = 8.9 mag), young ($340\pm80$ Myr) K-type star. Although a validated planetary system, the orbits of the two outer planets were unconstrained as only two non-consecutive transits were seen in TESS photometry. This left 11 and 7 possible period aliases for each. Aims: To reveal the true orbits of these two long-period planets, precise photometry targeted on the highest-probability period aliases is required. Long-term monitoring of transits in multi-planet systems can also help constrain planetary masses through TTV measurements. Methods: We used the MonoTools package to determine which aliases to follow, and then performed space-based and ground-based photometric follow-up of TOI-2076 c and d with CHEOPS, SAINT-EX, and LCO telescopes. Results: CHEOPS observations revealed a clear detection for TOI-2076 c at $P=21.01538^{+0.00084}_{-0.00074}$ d, and allowed us to rule out three of the most likely period aliases for TOI-2076 d. Ground-based photometry further enabled us to rule out remaining aliases and confirm the $P=35.12537\pm0.00067$ d alias. These observations also improved the radius precision of all three sub-Neptunes to $2.518\pm0.036$, $3.497\pm0.043$, and $3.232\pm0.063$ $R_\oplus$. Our observations also revealed a clear anti-correlated TTV signal between planets b and c likely caused by their proximity to the 2:1 resonance, while planets c and d appear close to a 5:3 period commensurability, although model degeneracy meant we were unable to retrieve robust TTV masses. Their inflated radii, likely due to extended H-He atmospheres, combined with low insolation makes all three planets excellent candidates for future comparative transmission spectroscopy with JWST.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

A pair of Sub-Neptunes transiting the bright K-dwarf TOI-1064 characterised with CHEOPS

We report the discovery and characterisation of a pair of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright K-dwarf TOI-1064 (TIC 79748331), initially detected in TESS photometry. To characterise the system, we performed and retrieved CHEOPS, TESS, and ground-based photometry, HARPS high-resolution spectroscopy, and Gemini speckle imaging. We characterise the host star and determine $T_{\rm eff, \star}=4734\pm67$ K, $R_{\star}=0.726\pm0.007$ $R_{\odot}$, and $M_{\star}=0.748\pm0.032$ $M_{\odot}$. We present a novel detrending method based on PSF shape-change modelling and demonstrate its suitability to correct flux variations in CHEOPS data. We confirm the planetary nature of both bodies and find that TOI-1064 b has an orbital period of $P_{\rm b}=6.44387\pm0.00003$ d, a radius of $R_{\rm b}=2.59\pm0.04$ $R_{\oplus}$, and a mass of $M_{\rm b}=13.5_{-1.8}^{+1.7}$ $M_{\oplus}$, whilst TOI-1064 c has an orbital period of $P_{\rm c}=12.22657^{+0.00005}_{-0.00004}$ d, a radius of $R_{\rm c}=2.65\pm0.04$ $R_{\oplus}$, and a 3$σ$ upper mass limit of 8.5 ${\rm M_{\oplus}}$. From the high-precision photometry we obtain radius uncertainties of $\sim$1.6%, allowing us to conduct internal structure and atmospheric escape modelling. TOI-1064 b is one of the densest, well-characterised sub-Neptunes, with a tenuous atmosphere that can be explained by the loss of a primordial envelope following migration through the protoplanetary disc. It is likely that TOI-1064 c has an extended atmosphere due to the tentative low density, however further RVs are needed to confirm this scenario and the similar radii, different masses nature of this system. The high-precision data and modelling of TOI-1064 b are important for planets in this region of mass-radius space, and it allows us to identify a trend in bulk density-stellar metallicity for massive sub-Neptunes that may hint at the formation of this population of planets.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

The New Generation Planetary Population Synthesis (NGPPS). VI. Introducing KOBE: Kepler Observes Bern Exoplanets. Theoretical perspectives on the architecture of planetary systems: Peas in a pod

(abridged) Observations of exoplanets indicate the existence of several correlations in the architecture of planetary systems. Exoplanets within a system tend to be of similar size and mass, evenly spaced, and are often ordered in size and mass. Small planets are frequently packed in tight configurations, while large planets often have wider orbital spacing. Together, these correlations are called the peas in a pod trends in the architecture of planetary systems. In this paper these trends are investigated in theoretically simulated planetary systems and compared with observations. Whether these correlations emerge from astrophysical processes or the detection biases of the transit method is examined. Synthetic planetary system were simulated using the Generation III Bern Model. KOBE, a new computer code, simulates the geometrical limitations of the transit method and applies the detection biases and completeness of the Kepler survey. This allows simulated planetary systems to be compared with observations. The architecture of synthetic planetary systems, observed via KOBE, show the peas in a pod trends in good agreement with observations. These correlations are also present in the theoretical underlying population, from the Bern Model, indicating that these trends are probably of astrophysical origin. The physical processes involved in planet formation are responsible for the emergence of evenly spaced planets with similar sizes and masses. The size--mass similarity trends are primordial and originate from the oligarchic growth of protoplanetary embryos and the uniform growth of planets at early times. Later stages in planet formation allows planets within a system to grow at different rates, thereby decreasing these correlations. The spacing and packing correlations are absent at early times and arise from dynamical interactions.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

On the impact of tides on the transit-timing fits to the TRAPPIST-1 system

Transit Timing Variations, or TTVs, can be a very efficient way of constraining masses and eccentricities of multi-planet systems. Recent measurements of the TTVs of TRAPPIST-1 led to an estimate of the masses of the planets, enabling an estimate of their densities. A recent TTV analysis using data obtained in the past two years yields a 34% and 13% increase in mass for TRAPPIST-1b and c, respectively. In most studies to date, a Newtonian N-body model is used to fit the masses of the planets, while sometimes general relativity is accounted for. Using the Posidonius N-body code, we show that in the case of the TRAPPIST-1 system, non-Newtonian effects might be also relevant to correctly model the dynamics of the system and the resulting TTVs. In particular, using standard values of the tidal Love number $k_2$ (accounting for the tidal deformation) and the fluid Love number $k_{2f}$ (accounting for the rotational flattening) leads to differences in the TTVs of TRAPPIST-1b and c similar to the differences caused by general relativity. We also show that relaxing the values of tidal Love number $k_2$ and the fluid Love number $k_{2f}$ can lead to TTVs which differ by as much as a few 10~s on a $3-4$-year timescale, which is a potentially observable level. The high values of the Love numbers needed to reach observable levels for the TTVs could be achieved for planets with a liquid ocean, which, if detected, might then be interpreted as a sign that TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c could have a liquid magma ocean. For TRAPPIST-1 and similar systems, the models to fit the TTVs should potentially account for general relativity, for the tidal deformation of the planets, for the rotational deformation of the planets and, to a lesser extent, for the rotational deformation of the star, which would add up to 7x2+1 = 15 additional free parameters in the case of TRAPPIST-1.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Stability of the co-orbital resonance under dissipation: Application to its evolution in protoplanetary discs

Despite the existence of co-orbital bodies in the solar system, and the prediction of the formation of co-orbital planets by planetary system formation models, no co-orbital exoplanets (also called trojans) have been detected thus far. In this paper we investigate how a pair of co-orbital exoplanets would fare during their migration in a protoplanetary disc. To this end, we computed a stability criterion of the Lagrangian equilibria L4 and L5 under generic dissipation and slow mass evolution. Depending on the strength and shape of these perturbations, the system can either evolve towards the Lagrangian equilibrium, or tend to increase its amplitude of libration, possibly all the way to horseshoe orbits or even exiting the resonance. We estimated the various terms of our criterion using a set of hydrodynamical simulations, and show that the dynamical coupling between the disc perturbations and both planets have a significant impact on the stability: the structures induced by each planet in the disc perturb the dissipative forces applied on the other planets over each libration cycle. Amongst our results on the stability of co-orbitals, several are of interest to constrain the observability of such configurations: long-distance inward migration and smaller leading planets tend to increase the libration amplitude around the Lagrangian equilibria, while leading massive planets and belonging to a resonant chain tend to stabilise it. We also show that, depending on the strength of the dissipative forces, both the inclination and the eccentricity of the smaller of the two co-orbitals can be significantly increased during the inward migration of the co-orbital pair, which can have a significant impact on the detectability by transit of such configurations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Pebbles versus Planetesimals: The case of Trappist-1

We present a study on the formation of planetary systems around low mass stars similar to Trappist-1, through the accretion of either planetesimals or pebbles. The aim is to determine if the currently observed systems around low mass stars favour one scenario over the other. We ran numerous N-body simulations, coupled to a thermally evolving viscous disc model, including prescriptions for planet migration and photoevaporation. We examine the differences between the pebble and planetesimal accretion scenarios, but also look at the influences of disc mass, planetesimal size, and the percentage of solids locked up within pebbles. When comparing the resulting planetary systems to Trappist-1, we find that a wide range of initial conditions for both accretion scenarios can form planetary systems similar to Trappist-1, in terms of planet mass, periods, and resonant configurations. Typically these planets formed exterior to the water iceline and migrated in resonant convoys to close to the central star. When comparing the planetary systems formed from pebbles to those formed from planetesimals, we find a large number of similarities, including average planet masses, eccentricities, inclinations and period ratios. One major difference was that of the water content of the planets. When including the effects of ablation and full recycling of the planets envelope with the disc, planets formed from pebbles were extremely dry, whilst those formed from planetesimals were extremely wet. If the water content is not fully recycled and instead falls to the planets core, or if ablation of the water is neglected, then the planets formed from pebbles are extremely wet, similar to those formed from planetesimals. Should the water content of the Trappist-1 planets be determined accurately, this could point to a preferred formation pathway for planetary systems, or to specific physics that may be at play.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Exploring the formation by core accretion and the luminosity evolution of directly imaged planets: The case of HIP 65426 b

A low-mass companion to the two-solar mass star HIP65426 has recently been detected by SPHERE at around 100 au from its host. Explaining the presence of super-Jovian planets at large separations, as revealed by direct imaging, is currently an open question. We want to derive statistical constraints on the mass and initial entropy of HIP65426b and to explore possible formation pathways of directly imaged objects within the core-accretion paradigm, focusing on HIP65426b. Constraints on the planet's mass and post-formation entropy are derived from its age and luminosity combined with cooling models. For the first time, the results of population synthesis are also used to inform the results. Then, a formation model that includes N-body dynamics with several embryos per disc is used to study possible formation histories and the properties of possible additional companions. Finally, the outcomes of two- and three-planet scattering in the post-disc phase are analysed, taking tides into account. The mass of HIP65426b is found to be Mp = 9.9 +1.1 -1.8 MJ using the hot population and Mp = 10.9 +1.4 -2.0 MJ with the cold-nominal population. Core formation at small separations from the star followed by outward scattering and runaway accretion at a few hundred AU succeeds in reproducing the mass and separation of HIP65426b. Alternatively, systems having two or more giant planets close enough to be on an unstable orbit at disc dispersal are likely to end up with one planet on a wide HIP65426b-like orbit with a relatively high eccentricity (>~ 0.5). If this scattering scenario explains its formation, HIP65426b is predicted to have a high eccentricity and to be accompanied by one or several roughly Jovian-mass planets at smaller semi-major axes, which also could have a high eccentricity. This could be tested by further direct-imaging as well as radial-velocity observations.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

Co-orbital exoplanets from close period candidates: The TOI-178 case

Despite the existence of co-orbital bodies in the solar system, and the prediction of the formation of co-orbital planets by planetary system formation models, no co-orbital exoplanets (also called trojans) have been detected thus far. Here we study the signature of co-orbital exoplanets in transit surveys when two planet candidates in the system orbit the star with similar periods. Such pair of candidates could be discarded as false positives because they are not Hill-stable. However, horseshoe or long libration period tadpole co-orbital configurations can explain such period similarity. This degeneracy can be solved by considering the Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) of each planet. We then focus on the three planet candidates system TOI-178: the two outer candidates of that system have similar orbital period and had an angular separation near $π/3$ during the TESS observation of sector 2. Based on the announced orbits, the long-term stability of the system requires the two close-period planets to be co-orbitals. Our independent detrending and transit search recover and slightly favour the three orbits close to a 3:2:2 resonant chain found by the TESS pipeline, although we cannot exclude an alias that would put the system close to a 4:3:2 configuration. We then analyse in more detail the co-orbital scenario. We show that despite the influence of an inner planet just outside the 2:3 mean-motion resonance, this potential co-orbital system can be stable on the Giga-year time-scale for a variety of planetary masses, either on a trojan or a horseshoe orbit. We predict that large TTVs should arise in such configuration with a period of several hundred days. We then show how the mass of each planet can be retrieved from these TTVs.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

The peculiar shapes of Saturn's small inner moons as evidence of mergers of similar-sized moonlets

The Cassini spacecraft revealed the spectacular, highly irregular shapes of the small inner moons of Saturn, ranging from the unique "ravioli-like" forms of Pan and Atlas to the highly elongated structure of Prometheus. Closest to Saturn, these bodies provide important clues regarding the formation process of small moons in close orbits around their host planet, but their range of irregular shapes has not been explained yet. Here we show that the spectrum of shapes among Saturn's small moons is a natural outcome of merging collisions among similar-sized moonlets possessing physical properties and orbits that are consistent with those of the current moons. A significant fraction of such merging collisions take place either at the first encounter or after 1-2 hit-and-run events, with impact velocities in the range of 1-5 times the mutual escape velocity. Close to head-on mergers result in flattened objects with large equatorial ridges, as observed on Atlas and Pan. With slightly more oblique impact angles, collisions lead to elongated, Prometheus-like shapes. These results suggest that the current forms of the small moons provide direct evidence of the processes at the final stages of their formation, involving pairwise encounters of moonlets of comparable size. Finally, we show that this mechanism may also explain the formation of Iapetus' equatorial ridge, as well as its oblate shape.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

Towards completing Planetary Systems: The role of minor bodies on life growth and survival

The search for extrasolar planets in the past decades has shown that planets abound in the Solar neighborhood. While we are still missing an Earth twin, the forthcoming space missions and ground-based instrumentation are already driven to achieve this goal. But, in order to fully understand the conditions for life appearing in the Solar System, we still miss some pieces of the planetary system jigsaw puzzle, namely a deeper understanding of the minor bodies. Trojans, moons, and comets are tracers of the formation and evolution processes of planetary systems. These missing pieces are also critical to understand the emergence and evolution of life over millions of years. With the large crop of planetary systems discovered so far and yet to be detected with the forthcoming missions, the hunt for minor bodies in extrasolar systems is a natural continuation of our search for real Solar System- and, in particular, Earth- analogs. This white paper is focused on detection of these minor components and their relevance in the emergence, evolution and survival of life.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

Detection of co-orbital planets by combining transit and radial-velocity measurements

Co-orbital planets have not yet been discovered, although they constitute a frequent by-product of planetary formation and evolution models. This lack may be due to observational biases, since the main detection methods are unable to spot co-orbital companions when they are small or near the Lagrangian equilibrium points. However, for a system with one known transiting planet (with mass $m_1$), we can detect a co-orbital companion (with mass $m_2$) by combining the time of mid-transit with the radial-velocity data of the star. Here, we propose a simple method that allows the detection of co-orbital companions, valid for eccentric orbits, that relies on a single parameter $α$, which is proportional to the mass ratio $m_2/m_1$. Therefore, when $α$ is statistically different from zero, we have a strong candidate to harbour a co-orbital companion. We also discuss the relevance of false positives generated by different planetary configurations.

astro-ph.EP↗